One U.S. official killed as gunmen storm, burn U.S. consulate in Benghazi

posted at 8:41 pm on September 11, 2012 by Allahpundit

The attack was still ongoing as of 7:15 p.m. ET but there’s already a body count. Time for another, more forceful statement of regret about “hurt feelings” from the local embassy?

“We can confirm that our office in Benghazi, Libya has been attacked by a group of militants. We are working with the Libyans now to secure the compound,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in State late Tuesday afternoon. “We condemn in strongest terms this attack on our diplomatic mission.”…

Earlier Tuesday, as the attack on the Cairo embassy was ongoing, Nuland told reporters at the daily briefing that the Cairo protests were “modest” compared to what State has seen in the past.

“It sounds like — and I don’t have full details — that this came up pretty quickly, relatively modest group of people, but caught probably us and the Egyptian security outside the embassy by some surprise,” she said. “I would urge you not to draw too many conclusions because we’ve also had some very positive developments in our relationship with Egypt.”

Among the very positive developments lately: Egypt’s new Islamist president paying a goodwill visit to a country with whom we might be at war a month from now. Nuland won’t say whether the attack in Libya is related to the storming of the compound in Cairo, but a spokesman for the Libyan government says it is. Can’t wait to find out which clerics and/or Islamist politicians are quietly pushing the Mohammed movie on their followers to get them excited. According to the filmmaker, he’s surprised by the reaction — although, by his own account, he shouldn’t have been:

Sam Bacile, an American citizen who said he produced, directed and wrote the two-hour film said he had not anticipated such a furious reaction…

“The main problem is I am the first one to put on the screen someone who is (portraying) Muhammad. It makes them mad,” he said in an interview in a telephone number in California. “But we have to open the door. After 9/11 everybody should be in front of the judge, even Jesus, even Muhammad.”

He said many of the film’s cast quit half way through the production, which he started “three or four” years ago, because they were afraid of Muslims.

He said the film also addresses the persecution of Copts in Egypt and blames the U.S. and its allies for fighting Muslims. “The U.S. should fight the ideology, not the people.”

If we “fight the ideology” the way this guy’s decided to fight it, embassies will be burning all over the Middle East. That’s why the Cairo embassy groveled as it did: The irony of these fulsome diplomatic statements of respect for Islam every time the more excitable elements of Islamist movements fly into a rage is that they’re not based on respect at all. They’re a rhetorical ransom, paid to keep the body count down. If not for the threat of violence, the embassy could have, and maybe would have, simply said something like, “The U.S. government had nothing to do with the film in question. American citizens have the right to freedom of speech. Hopefully Egyptians will someday too.” But they can’t say that, because that sort of neutrality could be used as a further pretext to kill. So they sold out American principles in the interest of saving some lives. Pitiful, but maybe not quite as pitiful to the guy whose life was saved. Whatever else this is, though, it’s assuredly not respect.

Blowback

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EL-ARISH, Egypt — U.S. diplomatic compounds came under attack in two Muslim countries on Tuesday, with a State Department employee killed in the assault on a consultate in Libya.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on our mission in Benghazi today,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement.
**********

“As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack.”
*************************************************************

But my journey is part of a larger journey- one shared by all who’ve ever sought to apply the values of their faith to our society. It’s a journey that takes us back to our nation’s founding, when none other than a UCC church inspired the Boston Tea Party and helped bring an Empire to its knees.

The black banner with the Obama symbol reads: اين انتم؟ يا مسلمون ممن آساء لنبي which translates into English as “(Obama symbol) Where are you? Muslims who offended the Prophet.” Since the message begins with the “O” from President Obama’s name, it seems clear that the protesting Muslims see him as a Muslim who has done the unthinkable, namely turned against the Prophet. Obviously, the strategy of apologizing often and profusely is NOT working. (Oh, and by the way, I do not believe the president is a Muslim, I am just stating what the protesters appear to believe.)

Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion and it’s influence on American culture is expanding. We have large Muslim populations in Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee and many other states and they will continue to grow.

At some point, America will see the same response to insulting Islam right here at home. Although other religions will never get the same protection, I can guarantee that any insults hurled toward Islam in America will be considered a hate crime and subject to severe penalties, including time in prison and monetary damages.

Does anyone remember when a photograph showing a crucifix, immersed in a container of urine, was placed in a New York City museum under the guise of art? It was sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Do you think anyone could get by showing a photograph of Muhammad immersed in urine in an American city? Not a chance. We will never expect Muslims to accept the concept of free speech in this country if it results in hurting their feelings or denigrating their religion. Our country is under attack, has been for years, and we go on down the road like nothing is wrong. Shame on us!

At some point, America will see the same response to insulting Islam right here at home. Although other religions will never get the same protection, I can guarantee that any insults hurled toward Islam in America will be considered a hate crime and subject to severe penalties, including time in prison and monetary damages.

Does anyone remember when a photograph showing a crucifix, immersed in a container of urine, was placed in a New York City museum under the guise of art? It was sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Do you think anyone could get by showing a photograph of Muhammad immersed in urine in an American city? Not a chance. We will never expect Muslims to accept the concept of free speech in this country if it results in hurting their feelings or denigrating their religion. Our country is under attack, has been for years, and we go on down the road like nothing is wrong. Shame on us!

metroryder on September 11, 2012 at 11:39 PM

Not some day that day is already here.

Some Christians went to Dearborn Michigan. Islamist have a festival on the town square. They though they could share the gospel with some of them. They were stoned literally stoned. There were several police that saw this and turned their heads away, as the Christians were not fighting back at all, for a while. Then eventually they walked up to the Christians and said they had to leave. The Christians were causing an unsafe environment the police said. They could not spare two officers to keep the Christians safe yet used 20 to force them out of town.

America can’t afford any more “leading from behind” in such a dangerous world. We already know that President Obama likes to “speak softly” to our enemies. If he doesn’t have a “big stick” to carry, maybe it’s time for him to grow one.

Apparently President Obama can’t see Egypt and Libya from his house. On the anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks ever perpetrated on America, our embassy in Cairo and our consulate in Benghazi were attacked by violent Islamic mobs. In Cairo, they scaled the walls of our embassy, destroyed our flag, and replaced it with a black Islamic banner. In Benghazi, the armed gunmen set fire to our consulate and killed an American staff member. The Islamic radicals claim that these attacks are in protest to some film criticizing Islam. In response to this, the U.S. embassy in Cairo issued a statement that was so outrageous many of us thought it must be a satire. The embassy actually apologized to the violent mob attacking us, and it even went so far as to chastise those who use free speech to “hurt the religious feelings of Muslims.” (Funny, the current administration has no problem hurting the “religious feelings” of Catholics.)

But where is the president’s statement about this? These countries represent his much touted “Arab Spring.” How’s that Arab Spring working out for us now? Have we received an apology yet from our “friends” in the Muslim Brotherhood for the assault on our embassy?

It’s about time our president stood up for America and condemned these Islamic extremists. I realize there must be a lot on his mind these days – what with our economy’s abysmal jobless numbers and Moody’s new warning about yet another downgrade to our nation’s credit rating due to the current administration’s failure to come up with a credible deficit reduction plan. And, of course, he has a busy schedule – with all those rounds of golf, softball interviews with the “Pimp with the Limp,” and fundraising dinners with his corporate cronies. But our nation’s security should be of utmost importance to our Commander-in-chief. America can’t afford any more “leading from behind” in such a dangerous world. We already know that President Obama likes to “speak softly” to our enemies. If he doesn’t have a “big stick” to carry, maybe it’s time for him to grow one.

The pacifist Juan Williams justifies this cowardly statement by saying, “…If we saw Muslims attacking Christians, we would say something is wrong, and we have said something is wrong.” WTF

Please tell me how he can equate a film with an ATTACK?!? What a d-bag. I used to have an infinitely small modicum of respect for Juan Williams. He just lost all respect with that moronic statement of moral equivalence.

America can’t afford any more “leading from behind” in such a dangerous world. We already know that President Obama likes to “speak softly” to our enemies. If he doesn’t have a “big stick” to carry, maybe it’s time for him to grow one.

- Sarah Palin

Yet another reason why it’s so easy for people to dismiss Sarah Palin. It’s another example of why voters don’t take her seriously.

Even when she is making a strong, appropriate statement, she has to ruin the whole thing with an obscene comment that distracts from the seriousness of her statement.

This “grow a big one” comment of hers is something better suited to a late night or radio talk show host, NOT someone who wants to be taken seriously by voters.

Sarah Palin is like Donald Trump; she’s an entertaining but gimmicky Obama critic who voters don’t take particularly seriously.

As much as I agree with a lot of what Sarah Palin says, I am very thankful that this incompetent former half-term governor is no longer seen as the face of the Republican Party or conservatism.

Please tell me how he can equate a film with an ATTACK?!? What a d-bag. I used to have an infinitely small modicum of respect for Juan Williams. He just lost all respect with that moronic statement of moral equivalence.

Zooid on September 12, 2012 at 12:38 AM

Juan has jumped out of the Obarmy tank and into the Obarmy pocket, it seems.

Are yall ready to give up on the despicable neocons yet? Will you smack them in the mouth when they clamor for more wars? For example, the repeated calls for intervention in Syria?
This has been the endgame of these wars since forever – they have been empowering the Islamist psychopaths at the expense of the local authoritarians.

America can’t afford any more “leading from behind” in such a dangerous world. We already know that President Obama likes to “speak softly” to our enemies. If he doesn’t have a “big stick” to carry, maybe it’s time for him to grow one.

– Sarah Palin

Yet another reason why it’s so easy for people to dismiss Sarah Palin. It’s another example of why voters don’t take her seriously.

Even when she is making a strong, appropriate statement, she has to ruin the whole thing with an obscene comment that distracts from the seriousness of her statement.

This “grow a big one” comment of hers is something better suited to a late night or radio talk show host, NOT someone who wants to be taken seriously by voters.

Sarah Palin is like Donald Trump; she’s an entertaining but gimmicky Obama critic who voters don’t take particularly seriously.

As much as I agree with a lot of what Sarah Palin says, I am very thankful that this incompetent former half-term governor is no longer seen as the face of the Republican Party or conservatism.

bluegill on September 12, 2012 at 12:42 AM

We can certainly see your priorities. No matter what is going on in the world, the important thing is to diminish Sarah Palin somehow.

The name of the official killed is on the net already, a memorium by his friends since he was a player of the online massive multiplayer game EVE Online (which I also play)pretty sure all this is legit.

I’m in the HBC (Honey Badger Coalition) in EVE, VR wasn’t a friend of mine, but he was a well known guy in the game and he was a friend to my friends, which hits a little closer to home than I would have liked.

RIP Sean.

Lets not make this political. A guy died, it’s tragic. Lets not use his memory for political points.

I’m in the HBC (Honey Badger Coalition) in EVE, VR wasn’t a friend of mine, but he was a well known guy in the game and he was a friend to my friends, which hits a little closer to home than I would have liked.

RIP Sean.

Lets not make this political. A guy died, it’s tragic. Lets not use his memory for political points.

triple on September 12, 2012 at 2:52 AM

He was well known, most of the game’s history mentions him at one point or another.

Prayer to the family, not trying for any points on anything.

Problem with a civilian mob is that its difficult to pinpoint any one group to lob a few tomahawk cruise missiles at. For killing one of our citizens like that I want some warheads on some foreheads right now.

He was well known, most of the game’s history mentions him at one point or another.

Prayer to the family, not trying for any points on anything.

Problem with a civilian mob is that its difficult to pinpoint any one group to lob a few tomahawk cruise missiles at. For killing one of our citizens like that I want some warheads on some foreheads right now.

theflyonthewall on September 12, 2012 at 3:03 AM

When I saw the broadcasts on jabber (and TM post) I didn’t feel angry at obama, or angry at libya, just frustrated that people could kill someone they didn’t even know for something so stupid.

It’s clear you weren’t trying to stir the pot, but it seems people have prior issues with obama and they don’t really care that Sean died. It’s just another bullet point in the news for them.

Of course he didn’t have to die, but that gets into bigger problems than Barack’s foreign policy, now you’re getting into issues of whether religion itself is a net benefit to society at all. It’s not that this is a smaller issue than foreign policy, the truth is this is a much larger issue than anyone seems to realize or care about.

Moreover, I’m just pissed that romney can’t show some class and leave the politics at home for a night.

Moreover, I’m just pissed that romney can’t show some class and leave the politics at home for a night.

triple on September 12, 2012 at 3:16 AM

I am no fan of Romney but you seem to be the one bringing this guys death into the political arena. You are defending Obama and attacking Romney while wrapping yourself in self-righteousness preaching about not using his death for political purposes.

If you don’t want his death used for scoring political points…then stop.

I’m speaking out against it, I realize that calling out people using him for political gain is, paradoxically “political”, but obviously you understand in order to do so, I have to name names regardless of my own political leanings.

In another thread, one guy even went so far as to use this as a ‘get out the vote’ post. Something to the effect of, “Obama apologized, lets take our country back November 6th.” Eff him.

Those of you too young to remember the undoing of the Carter presidency, take a screen-cap of today’s Drudge Report before it’s gone. Save it for posterity. Before I even read the Hot-Air comments, I took one look at Drudge and realized that today’s page ENCAPSULATES the Carter disaster.

Today’s events – telling the Israeli Prime Miniser he’s too busy with TV appearances and fundraisres and golf to meet – combined with the storming of the American embassies in Egypt and Libya – ON SEPTEMBER 11TH – should SINK THIS PRESIDENCY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN AS OF TOMORROW A.M.

This is the 3 AM phone call we all dreaded under this incompetent narcissistic boob in the white house. His appeasement will continue to weaken our position in the Arab world. He still doesn’t understand that they don’t respect weakness.

I don’t know if anyone mentioned this yet (there are a lot of posts – I didn’t read them all)but, embassy’s in foreign countries are considered to be part of the country they represent. Therefore, an attack on an American embassy (or British, or French, or Iranian, etc.) is the same as an attack on the nation it represents. Why, oh why, haven’t we sent in some troops (or jets, etc.) to protect our embassies and those who are living and serving there? Does our enemy have to scale the fences of the White House before anyone will take this egregious assault seriously?

I’m sure the American muslim community will soon condemn the violence toward our embassies & stand firm with the film maker for his right to free speech.
After all, islam is the religion or peace & tolerance.

Is this the result of Obama’s illegal war in Libya without congressional consultation? Is this the result of the apology tour in Egypt? Is this the result of The Won unilaterally gutting the United States military? Is this the result of the bankrupting the U.S. economy unable to react to foreign threats? Is this the result of Obama living the Reverend Wright theology? Is this the “chickens coming home to roost”? Is it time for the Won to make another apology tour and speechify all over the world? Is it time to blame Bush? Let’s see who gets blamed this time! Romney? Texas? Arizona? Coal industry? Republicans? Sarah? Racism? Christians? Insurance companies? Millionaires and Billionaires? Ryan? Wall Street?….Stay tuned!!!!!

All glory to the Jeffersonian rebels who are, like, totally way better than the Founders and stuff! If Ronald Reagan were here, he’d convert to Islam just to be more like them! Have you not seen that one article from August 2011 where that one guy in the back of a pick-up truck was holding an American flag? They totally can’t wait to adopt our Bill of Rights and send us cheap oil.

If you disagree at all or if you express any doubts or concerns, it can only mean that you love Gaddafi and want to have his babies!!!

“While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants,” Obama said.

I told you so. I knew keeping Kadaffi was in the US best interests.Now we have 4 DEAD AMERICANS in the Libyan Embassy including the US Ambassador. This came on the heels of the US Embassy in Egypt APOLOGIZING for a US movie. Obama ought to be arrested as an accomplice to murder.

I’m speaking out against it, I realize that calling out people using him for political gain is, paradoxically “political”, but obviously you understand in order to do so, I have to name names regardless of my own political leanings.

In another thread, one guy even went so far as to use this as a ‘get out the vote’ post. Something to the effect of, “Obama apologized, lets take our country back November 6th.” Eff him.

triple on September 12, 2012 at 3:33 AM

I’m sorry but pull up your big boy pants and get over it. Romney was right to call Obama out because Obama deserved it.

Yes this is political but with most things in life – politics are involved because your politics are your value system.

I’m outraged at the death of these 4 Americans. I’m also resolved to make sure they did not die in vain. Getting Obama out of the WH will make sure they did not.

Let’s be clear, we mourn those killed by these savages and pray for their families. However, it is the result of a feckless foreign policy in the Middle East that is both wrong and dangerous.

The President and his DoS have embarked on an amateurish mission to appease regimes that are not friends of the United States or democratic in any sense of the word. They have supported terrorists cloaked as sovereign governments and encouraged their actions. They have overseen the dismantling of Middle East forces that have kept war and further attacks against the United States interests. They have dismissed and belittled the only force for democracy and a staunch ally, Israel, in the Middle East.

They have rewarded despicable actions and elevated people who deserve our scorn, not praise because of their hatred and intolerance towards others.

The world is a lesser more dangerous place for our country, because of it.

The last time I checked, killing an ambassador was a declaration of war. But we are dealing with Carter 2.0. Is this escalation because the Muslim Brotherhood is afraid that Romney might win, and they better get stuff started while the US is less likely to put up a fight?

Is this the result of Obama’s illegal war in Libya without congressional consultation?

Would have to say no, as a indirect and immediate cause maybe. It’s more a small part of the Long War waged more or less continuously and, in the long term successfully, since the 7th century. It’s waged by a virulent, expansionist political movement that has perfected its camouflage as a religion. As in any conflict a combatant cannot effectively engage unless it is willing to identify and locate the adversary. This neither political party in the US is willing to do.

The proper reaction to these invasions into sovereign US soil (That’s what an embassy is, President Dufus) would be to demand — yes, it’s time for demands — that every dominant muslim country, including the likes of Indonesia, make an unequivocal denunciation of these events or the US severs relations. Let the Middle East wallow in the early Dark Ages. A big global no-go zone like the Paris suburbs and parts of Michigan, with one oasis of modernity, Israel.

But that’s just me. From our leaders look for more American-, and indeed, civilizationzation-endangering appeasement and cluelessness while infiltration happens before own eyes.

Is this escalation because the Muslim Brotherhood is afraid that Romney might win, and they better get stuff started while the US is less likely to put up a fight?

LibraryGryffon on September 12, 2012 at 8:48 AM

No. It would be quite wrong, I think, to interpret these acts through the lens and filter of rational thought and the conduct of peo[ple familiar with civilisation. To them this is just a deliberate poke in the eye on a sensitive date. The full explanation will be found inside their blackened, twisted souls.

It should be understood only as a spiteful act from people who admire and follow a spiteful man and who are so ignorant that they revere a deity who, judging by their condition of life, despises them far more than their human opponents do.

There either should be a tomahawks being launched by now to put some warheads on forehads, or a SEAL team being briefed on what targets, who were ringleading this craven attack, to forcibly insert lead into.

Maybe if Obama would just lead another team of Seals or something…er…at least pay my mortgage, then this entire nightmare would go away and there would be rainbows shrouding America with government issued unicorns prancing to and fro, to the delight of the shuddering masses?

Maybe if Obama would just lead another team of Seals or something…er…at least pay my mortgage, then this entire nightmare would go away and there would be rainbows shrouding America with government issued unicorns prancing to and fro, to the delight of the shuddering masses?

Don L on September 12, 2012 at 9:20 AM

Makes those Chi-town teachers and Sandra Fluke look like the lowlifes they are, huh?? Nothing like REAL hatred to help everyone see reality.

Christien spat: Nope. At best, he’ll wait until this thread is in the archives, then slink in and moan, as he’s wont to do.

Leave it to the local Kaddafi-kuddlers to use the vicious murders of American citizens in Libya by Qaeda-sympathizers as a pretext to crawl out from under their rocks and micterate upon the sacrifice of our heroic NATO airmen and their Libyan-Contra allies.

So – our Brave and Innocent Armed Forces who PROTECT the innocent citizens of America and The World are brutally attacked unsolicited, and several people MURDERED - and HOW does Allahpundit respond to this? Like this”

The attack was still ongoing as of 7:15 p.m. ET but there’s already a body count. Time for another, more forceful statement of regret about “hurt feelings” from the local embassy?

….With “Snark” and “Jokes“…..instead of OUTRAGE and Attacking the people who ENABLED these actions with THEIR Policies: Obama!

This response throws a “wet blanket” over the proper OUTRAGE and INDIGNATION and SUPPRESSES it.

THIS is how he “incites for THE ENEMY”……

He’s HELPING the Terorists by making them a JOKE instead of ENEMY COMBATANTS that VIOLATE the Rules of War….the SAME way he and the Media do when they make Biden a JOKE – INSTEAD of Criminally Negligent – which he is!!